As TTU's dean of nursing, Tzeng started a new doctoral program, thanks to a partnership with East Tennessee State University.

"She has a lot of background in research and going to Saskatchewan will be a good fit," Stephens said.

Tzeng begins her five-year term with the University of Saskatchewan Sept. 15.

As engineering dean, Rencis worked a lot in education success.

He developed, implemented and invested in the College of Engineering's first shared strategic plan for graduating 21st Century Renaissance Engineers.

As the immediate past president of the American Society of Engineering Education, he launched a collegewide effort for the recruitment of undergraduate, transfer and graduate students with a focus on quality and diversity; created a bachelor's degree program in engineering technology; partnered with industry and government agencies through off-campus undergraduate and graduate programs; and established a college-wide student success center for undergraduates focused on recruitment, retention and recognition.

The school of engineering is the most complex program with the largest PhD program and two funded research centers.

"He really put an effort in research areas," Stephens said. "He also built up donors and built relationships with alumni."

Having two dean vacancies is nothing new for Stephens, who previously served as interim provost from January 2011 to June 2013.

"We had five deans retire or resign at the same time in 2007," he said.

Stephens began his career at TTU in 1980 as an instructor in economics.

"I served as department chair from 2000-06 in the department of economics, finance and marketing," he said. The biggest change he has seen since joining Tech is the move in Carnegie Classification of Institutes of Higher Education.

"The fact that we are ranked is benefitting TTU," he said.

For the interim, Stephens appointed Darrell Hoy, associate dean of the college of engineering, and Kim Hanna, professor in the school of nursing, to be in charge. Both started those positions Aug. 7.

Hoy has been with the university since 1987 while Hanna has been with the university since 1989.

As for a timeline on filling the dean positions, he is anticipating the provost position to be filled first.

"We're looking for individuals who know where we've been and know where we are going," he said.